Device and method for computerized product slicing

ABSTRACT

A device and method for computerized product slicing are disclosed. The device includes a blade, an openable product holder capable of engaging/retaining therein the product and of communication with a product sensor, the product sensor which detects presence of product in proximity to the product holder and causes it to close upon the product, a slicing mechanism, and a weighing module designed and constructed to collect, retain and weigh slices of product and to communicate weight thereof to a CPU which accepts a data input from a user. The CPU is essentially responsible for control of the device and for display of data on a display included in the device. A method including the sequence of actions performed by the device is further disclosed.

FIELD AND BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to a device and method forcomputerized product slicing and, more particularly, to a device andmethod for producing neat stacks of sliced product. The claimedinvention is expected to find especial utility in slicing food products,especially meats and cheeses.

[0002] Many food slicing devices/methods are known in the art. A briefsummary is provided here to emphasize the novelty of the claimedinvention. This summary does not purport to be an exhaustive analysis ofall prior art slicers or slicing methods.

[0003] U.S. Pat. No. 4,598,618 teaches production of slices which aredeposited on a support in a plurality of rows with the slices in eachrow offset from one another by a predetermined first distance and therows offset from each other by a predetermined second distance. Thispatent teaches against stacking of slices produced by the slicer.Further, teachings of this patent do not include detection of productpresence in the device.

[0004] U.S. Pat. No. 4,545,447 teaches stacking and weighing slicescoming from the discharge end of a slicing machine. The apparatus isinitially set to receive slices in stacked form on a stacker. Teachingsof this patent emphasize a profile compensation control system tomaintain uniform weight between stacks. The profile compensation controlsystem is provided to compensate for tapers on the rear and front endsof a load to be sliced and accordingly adjust the slice thickness andobtain uniform and acceptable stack weights. Thus, teachings of thispatent have as an inherent disadvantage non-uniform slice thickness inat least some of the stacks. Further, teachings of this patent are illsuited to “custom slicing” situations where a different stack weight isdesired for each successive slicing operation or where differentproducts are sliced successively (e.g. delicatessen or supermarketcounters). Further, teachings of this patent do not include detection ofproduct presence in the device.

[0005] U.S. Pat. No. 4,065,911 teaches monitoring weight of accumulatedslices of meat in a first slicing operation in order to ascertainslicing parameters for a subsequent slicing operation with a similardesired target weight. teachings of this patent are ill suited to“custom slicing” situations where a different stack weight is desiredfor each successive slicing operation or where different products aresliced successively (e.g. delicatessen or supermarket counters).Further, teachings of this patent do not include detection of productpresence in the device.

[0006] U.S. Patent Application 20020184983 teaches a food slicer whichweighs accumulated slices and displays the accumulated weight. Theseteachings do not include input of data to a CPU for control of a slicingoperation. Further, teachings of this application do not includedetection of product presence in the device.

[0007] PCT application WO9933620 teaches an automatic food slicer butfails to teach detection of product presence in the device.

[0008] There is thus a widely recognized need for, and it would behighly advantageous to have, device and method for computerized productslicing devoid of the above limitations.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0009] According to one aspect of the present invention there isprovided a computerized product-slicing device. The device includes: (a)at least one blade; (b) a product holder having at least two operationalstates including a first operational state in which the product holderis open to accept the product and a second operational state in whichthe product holder is closed upon the product so that the product isengaged and retained therein; the product holder capable ofcommunication with a product presence sensor; (c) the product presencesensor designed and constructed to detect presence of the product inproximity to the product holder and to cause the product holder toswitch from the first operational state to the second operational statewhen the presence of the product in proximity to the product holder isdetected; (d) a slicing mechanism designed and constructed to causerepeated passage of the blade through the product so that slices thereofare produced, (e) a weighing module designed and constructed to collect,retain and weigh the slices of the product produced by the slicingmechanism and to communicate a determined weight thereof to acomputerized processing unit (CPU); (f) the CPU designed and configuredto accept a data input from a user of the device via a data inputmechanism; receive the determined weight from the weighing module; andto control operation of the slicing mechanism and the product holder;and (g) a display device designed and constructed to display at leastone item selected from the group consisting of the data input, thedetermined weight, a number of slices currently present in the weighingmodule, and an item of information pertaining to the product.

[0010] According to another aspect of the present invention there isprovided a method of slicing a product in accord with user input. Themethod includes: (a) accepting a data input from the user via a datainput mechanism in communication with a computerized processing unit(CPU); (b) employing a product presence sensor to detect presence of theproduct in proximity to a product holder; (c) causing the product holderto switch from a first operational state in which the product holder isopen to accept the product to a second operational state in which theproduct holder is closed upon the product so that the product is engagedand retained therein in response to a signal from the product presencesensor; (d) operating a slicing mechanism to cause repeated passage ofat least one blade through the product so that slices thereof areproduced according to the data input, wherein the operating iscontrolled by the CPU; (e) collecting, retaining and weighing the slicesof the product produced by the slicing mechanism within a weighingmodule designed and constructed to communicate a determined weightthereof to the CPU; and (f) displaying upon a display device at leastone item selected from the group consisting of the data input, thedetermined weight, a number of slices currently present in the weighingmodule, and an item of information pertaining to the product.

[0011] According to further features in preferred embodiments of theinvention described below, the data input includes at least one itemselected from the group consisting of a weight of product desired, anumber of slices of product desired, a price, and a product selection.

[0012] According to still further features in the described preferredembodiments the CPU is further designed and configured to cause theproduct holder to return to the first operational state when the productin the weighing module conforms to the data input from the user.

[0013] According to still further features in the described preferredembodiments a plurality of devices are in communication with a centralcontrol unit so that a plurality of products may be concurrentlyprepared for the user.

[0014] According to still further features in the described preferredembodiments a plurality of devices are in communication with a centralcontrol unit so that at least one product may be concurrently preparedaccording to a plurality of the data inputs from a plurality of theusers.

[0015] According to still further features in the described preferredembodiments the device further includes a product identification sensordesigned and constructed to identify the product and communicateinformation pertaining thereto to the CPU.

[0016] According to still further features in the described preferredembodiments the information pertaining thereto includes at least oneitem selected from the group consisting of a price per unit, a slicingparameter, a product name and a product code.

[0017] According to still further features in the described preferredembodiments the device further includes a wrapping unit designed andconstructed to wrap the slices of product.

[0018] According to still further features in the described preferredembodiments the device, further includes a printer in communication withthe CPU, the printer designed and constructed to print a labelcontaining at least price information pertaining to the slices in theweighing module in response to a command from the CPU.

[0019] According to still further features in the described preferredembodiments the device further includes a product retrieval mechanismdesigned and constructed to select a product from among a plurality ofproducts, retrieve the selected product and deliver the selected productto the product holder of the device.

[0020] According to still further features in the described preferredembodiments the device further includes a second weighing moduledesigned and constructed weigh the product prior to slicing by theslicing mechanism and to communicate a determined weight thereof to thecomputerized processing unit (CPU).

[0021] According to still further features in the described preferredembodiments the accepting the data input includes accepting at least oneitem selected from the group consisting of a weight of product desired,a number of slices of product desired, a price, and a product selection.

[0022] According to still further features in the described preferredembodiments the method further includes causing the product holder toreturn to the first operational state when the product in the weighingmodule conforms to the data input from the user by means of a commandfrom the CPU.

[0023] According to still further features in the described preferredembodiments the method further includes employing a productidentification sensor to identify the product and communicateinformation pertaining thereto to the CPU.

[0024] According to still further features in the described preferredembodiments wherein the information pertaining thereto includes at leastone item selected from the group consisting of a price per unit, aslicing parameter, a product name and a product code.

[0025] According to still further features in the described preferredembodiments the method further includes wrapping the slices of productby means of a wrapping module.

[0026] According to still further features in the described preferredembodiments the method further includes printing a label containing atleast price information pertaining to the slices in the weighing modulein response to a command from the CPU.

[0027] According to still further features in the described preferredembodiments the method further includes employing a product retrievalmechanism to select a product from among a plurality of productsretrieve the selected product and deliver the selected product to theproduct holder.

[0028] According to still further features in the described preferredembodiments the method further includes weighing the product prior toslicing by the slicing mechanism and to communicating a determinedweight thereof to the computerized processing unit (CPU).

[0029] According to still further features in the described preferredembodiments an account debit mechanism debits a user account.

[0030] The present invention successfully addresses the shortcomings ofthe presently known configurations by providing a device forcomputerized product slicing which detects the presence of product inthe device. The claimed method includes product detection.

[0031] Implementation of the method and system of the present inventioninvolves performing or completing selected tasks or steps manually,automatically, or a combination thereof. Moreover, according to actualinstrumentation and equipment of preferred embodiments of the device andmethod of the present invention, several selected steps could beimplemented by hardware or by software on any operating system of anyfirmware or a combination thereof. For example, as hardware, selectedsteps of the invention could be implemented as a chip or a circuit. Assoftware, selected steps of the invention could be implemented as aplurality of software instructions being executed by a computer usingany suitable operating system. In any case, selected steps of the methodand system of the invention could be described as being performed by adata processor, such as a computing platform for executing a pluralityof instructions.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0032] The invention is herein described, by way of example only, withreference to the accompanying drawings. With specific reference now tothe drawings in detail, it is stressed that the particulars shown are byway of example and for purposes of illustrative discussion of thepreferred embodiments of the present invention only, and are presentedin the cause of providing what is believed to be the most useful andreadily understood description of the principles and conceptual aspectsof the invention. In this regard, no attempt is made to show structuraldetails of the invention in more detail than is necessary for afundamental understanding of the invention, the description taken withthe drawings making apparent to those skilled in the art how the severalforms of the invention may be embodied in practice.

[0033] In the drawings:

[0034]FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic representation of a possible arrangementof components of a device according to the present invention.

[0035]FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic representation of a device according tothe present invention which relies upon a central control unit so thatit can concurrently perform multiple slicing operations.;

[0036]FIG. 3 illustrates one embodiment of a product retrieval mechanismaccording to the present invention.

[0037]FIG. 4 is a simplified flow diagram illustrating methods accordingto the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0038] The present invention is of a device and method for computerizedproduct slicing which detects the presence of product to be sliced.

[0039] Specifically, the present invention can be used to slice foodproducts, such as meats or cheeses. The invention is expected to findespecial utility in situations in which successive slicing operationsare different from one another. These differences may arise fromdifferences in product type, selected slice thickness or desired totalweight of product to be sliced. Thus, in contrast to the prior art,which offers solutions for repeatedly producing similar weights of thesame product in a factory, the present invention is especially suitedfor use in delicatessens, restaurants and supermarkets where it islikely that each slicing operation will differ from the previous slicingoperation.

[0040] The principles and operation of a device and method according tothe present invention may be better understood with reference to thedrawings and accompanying descriptions.

[0041] Before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention indetail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in itsapplication to the details of construction and the arrangement of thecomponents set forth in the following description or illustrated in thedrawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments or of beingpracticed or carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understoodthat the phraseology and terminology employed herein is for the purposeof description and should not be regarded as limiting.

[0042] Referring now to the drawings, FIG. 1 illustrates a computerizedproduct-slicing device 20 according to the present invention. Forpurposes of this specification and the accompanying claims, the term“product” specifically includes, but is not limited to, food productssuch as meats and cheeses. Meats may be, for example, cured meats suchas sausages, smoked meats or pickled meats. Alternately or additionally,fresh meats may be included in the term product. An example of othernon-food products which may be sliced by a device such as describedherein is rubber.

[0043] Device 20 includes at least one blade 22. One of ordinary skillin the art of food processing engineering will be well acquainted withcommercially available food slicing blades and will be able toincorporate an available blade into device 20. Briefly, blade 22 may be,for example a rotating disk with a circumferential cutting edge, astraight edged blade or a band saw blade. Device 20 further includes aproduct holder 24 having at least two operational states. Theseoperational states include a first operational state 26 in which productholder 24 is open to accept a product 30 and a second operational state28 in which product holder 24 is closed upon product 30 so that product30 is engaged and retained therein. Product holder 24 is capable ofcommunication with a product presence sensor 32 which may be, forexample, an electric eye, a mechanical switch, a weight sensitive deviceor a bar code reader. Communication may be via any available channel ofcommunication. For purposes of this specification and the accompanyingclaims, the phrase “channel of communication” refers to a physicalconnection (e.g. wired or hard wired), a local area network connection,an infrared frequency transmission connection, a fiber-optic connection,a radio frequency connection, a telephone connection (includingcellular) or an Internet connection. Inherent in the idea of acommunication channel is an open status during which data transmissionmay occur. In some cases, communication channels may also have a closedstatus during which no data transmission may occur.

[0044] Product presence sensor 32 is designed and constructed to detectpresence of product 30 in proximity to product holder 24 and to causeproduct holder 24 to switch from first operational state 26 to secondoperational state 28 when presence product 30 in proximity holder 24 isdetected. Switching between operational states may be accomplishedeither directly or via communication with intermediary components asdetailed hereinbelow.

[0045] Device 20 further includes a slicing mechanism 34 designed andconstructed to cause repeated passage of blade 22 through product 30 sothat slices 36 thereof are produced. Preferably, slicing is of a portionof product 30 which protrudes through hole 31 in table 29.

[0046] Device 20 further includes a weighing module 38 designed andconstructed to collect, retain and weigh slices 36 of product 30produced by the slicing mechanism 34 and to communicate a determinedweight thereof to a computerized processing unit (CPU) 40 via a channelof communication as defined hereinabove.

[0047] Device 20 further includes CPU 40 designed and configured toaccept a data input from a user of device 20 via a data input mechanism42. The data input may include, for example, a weight 46 of product 30desired, a number 48 of slices 36 of product 30 desired, a price 50, aproduct selection 52 or a combination including at least one of theseparameters. For purposes of this specification and the accompanyingclaims the phrase “data input mechanism” refers to any device for entryof data to a computing device. The definition includes, but is notlimited to a keyboard/keypad, a computer mouse, a track pad, a trackball, a stylus, a touch screen and a microphone.

[0048] CPU 40 is further designed and configured to receive thedetermined weight from weighing module 38 and to control operation ofslicing mechanism 34 and product holder 24. For example CPU 40 may causeproduct holder 24 to return to first operational state 26 when product30 in weighing module 38 conforms to the data input from the user.

[0049] Device 20 further includes a display device 44 designed andconstructed to display at least one item such as, for example, the datainput (e.g. 46; 48; 50 or 52), the determined weight, a number of slices36 currently present in weighing module 38, and an item of informationpertaining to product 30.

[0050] According to some preferred embodiments (FIG. 2) of device 20 aplurality of slicing mechanisms 34 and weighing modules 38 are incommunication with a central control unit 54 so that a plurality ofproducts 30 may be concurrently prepared for the user. According toalternate preferred embodiments of device 20 a plurality of slicingmechanisms 34 and weighing modules 38 are in communication with acentral control unit 54 so that at least one product 30 may beconcurrently prepared according to a plurality of data inputs from aplurality of the users.

[0051] Preferably device 20 further includes a product identificationsensor 56 designed and constructed to identify product 30 andcommunicate information pertaining thereto to CPU 40. The informationpertaining to product 30 may include, for example, a price per unit 58,a slicing parameter 60 (e.g. minimum or maximum thickness), a productname 62 or a product code 64. Product identification sensor 56 may be,for example, a bar code reader or a microchip reader.

[0052] For purposes of this specification and the accompanying claimsthe term “microchip” refers to a machine-writeable and machine-readabledevice capable of storing electronic data. “Micro”, in this case, doesnot mean that the chip is not visible to the naked eye. An example of amicrochip suitable for use in the present invention is the Tag-It™TIRIS™ (Texas Instruments™, U.S.A.). TIRIS™ employs sequentialtransmission of FM signals and electronic data capture. Primary to eachTIRIS™ system are transponders, each of which is especially programmablewith a unique code.

[0053] TIRIS™ employs radio transmissions to send energy to atransponder which returns a radio transmissions back to a datacollection reader. The TIRIS™ transponder (tag) is attachable to product30. A TIRIS™ reader-unit in sensor 56 sends a radio frequency wave tothe tag, and the tag broadcasts its stored data back to the reader. Datacollected from a transponder is transmitted to CPU 40.

[0054] Preferably, device 20 further includes a wrapping unit 66designed and constructed to wrap slices 36 of product 30. Preferably,device 20 further includes a printer 68 in communication with CPU 40.Printer 68 is designed and constructed to print a label containing atleast price information pertaining to slices 36 in weighing module 38 inresponse to a command from the CPU. More preferably, printer 68 andwrapping unit 66 are functionally integrated so that a label produced byprinter 68 is affixed to a wrapped package of slices 36 produced bywrapping unit 66. This may be accomplished, for example, by printing ofa label directly on paper employed by wrapping unit 66 to wrap slices36. Alternately, this may be accomplished by printing of adhesive labelswhich are affixed to the wrapped package.

[0055] Most preferably, device 20 further includes an account debitmechanism which relies upon magnetic carder reader 69 to read details ofan ATM card (Automatic teller machine card) and transmit details thereofvia an available channel of communication to an established transactionauthorization server. Transaction authorizations of this type are wellknown and can easily be incorporated into device 20 by one of ordinaryskill in the art. For purposes of this specification and theaccompanying claims the term “account” refers to any calculation ofmonetary indebtedness. This definition specifically includes, but is notlimited to, a credit card account, a bank account and a customer accountwith a commercial entity (e.g. store account). For purposes of thisspecification and the accompanying claims, the phrase “ATM card” refersto any card readable by an ATM machine including, but not limited to acredit card and a debit card. Specifically included in this definitionare Visa™ cards, MasterCard™, American Express™ cards, Diners Club™cards, JCB™ cards and any functional equivalents thereof.

[0056] Thus, according to a most preferred embodiment of the invention,the label printed by printer 68 is also receipt for the contents of atleast one package wrapped by wrapping unit 66.

[0057] Preferably device 20 further includes a product retrievalmechanism 70 designed and constructed to select product 30 from among aplurality of products, retrieve selected product 30 and deliver selectedproduct 30 to product holder 24 of device 20. One preferred embodimentof retrieval mechanism 70 is a robotic device 51 as illustrated in FIG.3. Robotic device 51 employs a robotic arm 55 which serves forretrieving and placing product 30 in product holder 24. Arm 55 isequipped with a fingered gripper 57 at its distal end, for example ofthe type sold by Sommer Automatic (U.S.) which is capable of picking upproduct 30 and accurately placing product 30 in product holder 24.Robotic device 51 may be configured in many different ways withoutsignificantly changing the overall function of device 20. Oneconfiguration, as shown in FIG. 3 is now described in detail as anon-limiting example. According to one preferred embodiment of theinvention, robotic device 51 includes a base 53 horizontallytranslatable along a guiding rail 59. Horizontal translation may beachieved, for example by means of complementary arcuate teeth on rail 59and base 53. Rail 59 serves to allow travel of robotic device betweenholder 24 and an ordered array of discrete locations 74. A user mayinput a discrete location (e.g. B2) or designate a product 30 by name.In either case, identification sensor 56 communicates details ofretrieved product 30 to CPU 40. Robotic device 51 further includes avertical shaft element 61 vertically extending from base 53, and amotorized operative head 63 translatably engaged by vertical shaft 61and which is equipped with at least one rotating robotic arm 55 so as toallow a distal end of robotic arm 55 least three degrees of freedom.Base 53 and operative head 63 are controlled by CPU 40 so that retrievalof product 30, placement in holder 24 and return of unsliced product 30to discrete location 74 is performed in response to a the initial userinput. Since product 30 is most often perishable, discrete locations 74are typically within a refrigerated display case 76. Display case 76 mayalso house Slicing mechanism 34 and/or other portions of device 20.

[0058] Preferably, device 20 further includes a second weighing module72 designed and constructed weigh product 30 prior to slicing by slicingmechanism 34 and to communicate a determined weight thereof to CPU 40.Second weighing module 72 is preferably incorporated into product table29.

[0059] Thus, the present invention is further embodied by a method 80(FIG. 4) of slicing a product in accord with user input. Method 80includes accepting 82 a data input from the user via data inputmechanism 42 in communication with CPU 40. Accepting the data input mayincludes accepting, for example, one or more of a weight of productdesired 46, a number of slices of product desired 48, a price 50, or aproduct selection 52.

[0060] Method 80 further includes employing 84 a product presence sensor32 to detect presence of product 30 in proximity to product holder 24.

[0061] Method 80 further includes causing 86 product holder 24 to switchfrom a first operational state 26 in which holder 24 is open to acceptthe product to a second operational state 28 in which holder 24 isclosed upon product 30 so that product 30 is engaged and retainedtherein in response to a signal presence sensor 32. Sensor 32 maycommunicate with holder 24 either directly, or via CPU 40.

[0062] Method 80 further includes operating 88 slicing mechanism 34 asdescribed hereinabove under the control of CPU 40.

[0063] Method 80 further includes collecting 90, retaining and weighingthe slices 36 of product 30 produced by slicing mechanism 34 within aweighing module 38 which is designed and constructed to communicate adetermined weight thereof to CPU 40.

[0064] Method 80 further includes displaying 92 upon a display devicedata such as, for example, the data input (e.g. weight of productdesired 46, number of slices desired 48, price 50, product selection 52,the determined weight of sliced product, a number of slices currentlypresent in weighing module 38, or an item of information pertaining tothe product as described hereinabove.

[0065] Preferably, method 80 further includes causing 94 product holder24 to return to first operational state 26 when product 30 in weighingmodule 38 conforms to the data input from the user by means of a commandfrom CPU 40.

[0066] Preferably, method 80 further includes employing a productidentification sensor 56 to identify the product and communicateinformation pertaining thereto to the CPU as detailed hereinabove.

[0067] Preferably, method 80 further includes wrapping 96 slices 36 ofproduct 30 by means of wrapping module 66.

[0068] Preferably, method 80 further includes printing 98 a labelcontaining at least price information pertaining to slices 36 inweighing module 38 in response to a command from CPU 40.

[0069] Preferably, method 80 further includes employing 100 a productretrieval mechanism 70 to select product 30 from among a plurality ofproducts 30, retrieve selected product 30 and deliver selected product30 to holder 24.

[0070] Preferably, method 80 further includes weighing product 30 priorto slicing by slicing mechanism 34 and communicating a determined weightthereof to CPU 40. This is accomplished by second weighing module 72.This determined weight may be compared to a desired weight input by theuser. If the desired weight is greater than the actual weight of productin holder 24, the user is queried about how to proceed (e.g. “Will youaccept the lower weight?”; “Will you allow slicing from two pieces ofproduct?”). If the desired weight is less than the actual weight ofproduct in holder 24, the CPU operates slicing mechanism 34 withoutadditional user input.

[0071] Preferably, method 80 further includes debiting 104 a useraccount. As a non limiting example of the advantages of the presentinvention with respect to available alternatives the following narrativeillustration is provided. A shopper steps up to the delicatessen counterin a supermarket. There is no human attendant in evidence. Instead, theshopper finds an ordered array of discrete locations 74 in arefrigerated display case 76. Each location in array 74 contains asliceable product which is identifiable and/or labeled. In closeproximity to display 76 is a large touch-screen display 44 which alsoserves as a data input mechanism 42. The screen reads “May I help you?”.The shopper touches the “yes” button on the screen to activate device20. Shopper is then prompted to enter an order specifying product 30either by name (e.g. selection from a list on the screen) or by location(e.g. B2) and an amount (e.g. weight desired; number of slices desired,total transaction amount desired).

[0072] Optionally, but preferably, screen 44 prompts shopper to select apayment type. If debit card or credit card is selected, a prompt toinsert the card in card reader 69 appears on the screen. Insertion ofthe card initiates a standard transaction verification procedure with aremote transaction server. In some cases, the shopper may be required toenter a PIN code, for example via touch screen 44 (42). If cash isselected, CPU 40 instructs printer 68 to include a machine readableprice (e.g. bar code) on the label to be printed for the current slicingoperation.

[0073] This information is communicated to CPU 40 which sends productretrieval mechanism 70 in the form of robotic device 51 to select 100,retrieve and place desired product 30 in holder 24 which is open 26.This triggers 84 sensor 32, which sends a signal to CPU 40 causing 86holder 24 to close 28 upon product 30. CPU 40 then operates slicing 34in accord with accepted data input 82. Slices 36 of product 30 arecollected 90 in an essentially vertical stack in weighing module 38until CPU 40 determines that the sliced product 30 conforms to initiallyaccepted data input 82. At that time wrapping unit 66 wraps the slicedproduct. Printer 68 concurrently prints a label including the packageprice which is affixed to the wrapped package either by wrapping unit 66or by the shopper. Preferably, the label includes a bar coded price foruse at a check-out point. More preferably, the label is a receipt for acredit or debit card transaction which has already been authorized whileslicing occurs as described hereinabove.

[0074] According to some embodiments of the invention, a shopper mayconcurrently order several different slicing operations (see FIG. 2).Thus, the present invention reduces the need for human personnel at foodslicing counters and expedites the process of paying for slicedproducts.

[0075] It is expected that during the life of this patent many relevant“robotic devices” and “sensors” will be developed and the scope of theseterms is intended to include all such new technologies a priori.

[0076] It is appreciated that certain features of the invention, whichare, for clarity, described in the context of separate embodiments, mayalso be provided in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely,various features of the invention, which are, for brevity, described inthe context of a single embodiment, may also be provided separately orin any suitable subcombination.

[0077] Although the invention has been described in conjunction withspecific embodiments thereof, it is evident that many alternatives,modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in theart. Accordingly, it is intended to embrace all such alternatives,modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and broad scopeof the appended claims. All publications, patents and patentapplications mentioned in this specification are herein incorporated intheir entirety by reference into the specification, to the same extentas if each individual publication, patent or patent application wasspecifically and individually indicated to be incorporated herein byreference. In addition, citation or identification of any reference inthis application shall not be construed as an admission that suchreference is available as prior art to the present invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A computerized product slicing device, the devicecomprising: (a) at least one blade; (b) a product holder having at leasttwo operational states including a first operational state in which saidproduct holder is open to accept the product and a second operationalstate in which said product holder is closed upon the product so thatthe product is engaged and retained therein; said product holder capableof communication with a product presence sensor; (c) said productpresence sensor designed and constructed to detect presence of theproduct in proximity to said product holder and to cause said productholder to switch from said first operational state to said secondoperational state when said presence of the product in proximity to saidproduct holder is detected; (d) a slicing mechanism designed andconstructed to cause repeated passage of said blade through the productso that slices thereof are produced; (e) a weighing module designed andconstructed to collect, retain and weigh said slices of the productproduced by said slicing mechanism and to communicate a determinedweight thereof to a computerized processing unit (CPU); (f) said CPUdesigned and configured to accept a data input from a user of the devicevia a data input mechanism; receive said determined weight from saidweighing module; and to control operation of said slicing mechanism andsaid product holder; and (g) a display device designed and constructedto display at least one item selected from the group consisting of saiddata input, said determined weight, a number of slices currently presentin said weighing module, and an item of information pertaining to theproduct.
 2. The device of claim 1, wherein said data input includes atleast one item selected from the group consisting of a weight of productdesired, a number of slices of product desired, a price, and a productselection.
 3. The device of claim 1, wherein said CPU is furtherdesigned and configured to cause said product holder to return to saidfirst operational state when the product in the weighing module conformsto said data input from said user.
 4. A plurality of devices accordingto claim 1 in communication with a central control unit so that aplurality of products may be concurrently prepared for said user.
 5. Aplurality of devices according to claim 1 in communication with acentral control unit so that at least one product may be concurrentlyprepared according to a plurality of said data inputs from a pluralityof said users.
 6. The device of claim 1, further comprising a productidentification sensor designed and constructed to identify the productand communicate information pertaining thereto to said CPU.
 7. Thedevice of claim 6, wherein said information pertaining thereto includesat least one item selected from the group consisting of a price perunit, a slicing parameter, a product name and a product code.
 8. Thedevice of claim 1 further comprising a wrapping unit designed andconstructed to wrap said slices of product.
 9. The device if claim 1,further comprising a printer in communication with said CPU, saidprinter designed and constructed to print a label containing at leastprice information pertaining to said slices in said weighing module inresponse to a command from the CPU.
 10. The device of claim 1, furthercomprising a product retrieval mechanism designed and constructed toselect a product from among a plurality of products, retrieve saidselected product and deliver said selected product to said productholder of the device.
 11. The device of claim 1, further comprising asecond weighing module designed and constructed to weigh the productprior to slicing by said slicing mechanism and to communicate adetermined weight thereof to said computerized processing unit (CPU).12. The device of claim 1, further comprising an account debitmechanism.
 13. A method of slicing a product in accord with user input,the method comprising: (a) accepting a data input from the user via adata input mechanism in communication with a computerized processingunit (CPU); (b) employing a product presence sensor to detect presenceof the product in proximity to a product holder; (c) causing saidproduct holder to switch from a first operational state in which saidproduct holder is open to accept the product to a second operationalstate in which said product holder is closed upon the product so thatthe product is engaged and retained therein in response to a signal fromsaid product presence sensor; (d) operating a slicing mechanism to causerepeated passage of at least one blade through the product so thatslices thereof are produced according to said data input, wherein saidoperating is controlled by said CPU; (e) collecting, retaining andweighing said slices of the product produced by said slicing mechanismwithin a weighing module designed and constructed to communicate adetermined weight thereof to said CPU; and (f) displaying upon a displaydevice at least one item selected from the group consisting of said datainput, said determined weight, a number of slices currently present insaid weighing module, and an item of information pertaining to theproduct.
 14. The method of claim 13, wherein said accepting said datainput includes accepting at least one item selected from the groupconsisting of a weight of product desired, a number of slices of productdesired, a price, and a product selection.
 15. The method of claim 13,further comprising causing said product holder to return to said firstoperational state when the product in the weighing module conforms tosaid data input from said user by means of a command from said CPU. 16.The method of claim 13, further comprising employing a productidentification sensor to identify the product and communicateinformation pertaining thereto to said CPU.
 17. The method of claim 16,wherein said information pertaining thereto includes at least one itemselected from the group consisting of a price per unit, a slicingparameter, a product name and a product code.
 18. The method of claim13, further comprising wrapping said slices of product by means of awrapping module.
 19. The method of claim 13, further comprising printinga label containing at least price information pertaining to said slicesin said weighing module in response to a command from the CPU.
 20. Themethod of claim 13, further comprising employing a product retrievalmechanism to select a product from among a plurality of productsretrieve said selected product and deliver said selected product to saidproduct holder.
 21. The method of claim 13, further comprising weighingthe product prior to slicing by said slicing mechanism and tocommunicating a determined weight thereof to said computerizedprocessing unit (CPU).
 22. The method of claim 13, further comprisingdebiting an account of the user.